Description
Dryopteris – Buckler Fern – Shield Fern – Wood Fern –
There are about 200 species of terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They occur mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in woodland, by stream or lakes, and among mountain rocks. Most are deciduous, or semi evergreen. Pinnate to 4 pinnate, sometimes pinnatisect fronds form shuttlecocks in most cultivated species. Spores are produced in kidney shaped sori. The foliage looks effective with most herbaceous plants and shrubs.
Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.
Prone to rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots.
D. marginalis – Marginal Shield Fern – Leather Wood Fern – Marginal Wood Fern – Evergreen Fern – This evergreen fern found from Quebec to Kansas and Southwestern Virginia grows 12-24″ tall and wide. From short, stiffly erect rhizomes sprouts a cluster of upright, lance shaped, pinnatifid or pinnate or bi-pinnate, leathery, grayish green fronds, 10-20″ long. The spore masses are borne along the edges of the leaflets.
Zones 3-8
